A Touch of Soul: Van Morrison – Tupelo Honey

Van Morrison – Tupelo Honey

I’m fascinated by the whole concept of muse and, more specifically, the idea that an artist’s inspirational genius is a temporary, fleeting thing beyond their control. I’ve always wondered what it must be like for a musician once capable of brilliance to live the rest of their life in the shadow of their creative ‘peak’ (as so often happens), knowing they’re unlikely to ever match their former glory. Why can’t they do it? What’s stopping them?*

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loudQUIETloud: A Film About the Pixies

This feature-length documentary about the Pixies’ reunion and subsequent tour is available to watch in its entirety (for one week only) over at the newly opened Pitchfork TV. Although I am a huge fan of the band, I expected this film to be pretty straightforward – and much of it is – but I completely underestimated the lingering friction within the band. Not only are they not on speaking terms, but they openly admit money was a big factor in bringing them back, and David Lovering himself develops severe problems while on tour. Voyeurism aside, it’s full of great performances to boot. Check it out while you still can.

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Frank Black Gets Hauled Off by Police

After an impromptu performance of a couple of Pixies songs outside St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, a crowd of fans and bemused passers-by grows to unmanageable proportions, prompting the local Gardai to make a show of ushering Frank Black into a squad car. As an Irishman, I find the following footage embarrassing for several reasons:

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